Methods, systems, and computer readable media for using network function (NF) repository function (NRF) to provide mapping of single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) for roaming and inter-public land mobile network (inter-PLMN) traffic

Abstract

A method for using a network function (NF) repository function (NRF) for mapping single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) includes, storing at an NRF in a first network, an S-NSSAI mapping database including mappings between S-NSSAI values of the first network and S-NSSAI values of other networks. The method further includes receiving, from a requesting NF in a second network, a request message including a requester S-NSSAI attribute including an S-NSSAI value of the second network. The method further includes performing a lookup in the S-NSSAI mapping database and locating a mapping between the S-NSSAI value of the second network and the S-NSSAI value of the first network. The method further includes generating a response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network. The method further includes transmitting the response message to the requesting NF in the second network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for using a network function (NF) repository function (NRF) for mapping single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), the method comprising:
 storing, at an NRF in a first network, an S-NSSAI mapping database including mappings between S-NSSAI values of the first network and S-NSSAI values of other networks;   receiving, by the NRF and from a requesting NF in a second network, a request message including a requester S-NSSAI attribute including an S-NSSAI value of the second network;   performing, by the NRF, a lookup in the S-NSSAI mapping database and locating a mapping between the S-NSSAI value of the second network and one of S-NSSAI values of the first network;   generating a response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network; and   transmitting the response message to the requesting NF in the second network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the mappings in the S-NSSAI mapping database include NF type identifiers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein performing the lookup in the S-NSSAI mapping database includes locating a mapping corresponding to an NF type of the requesting NF in the second network. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein generating the response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network includes generating the response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network that maps to the S-NSSAI value of the second network corresponding to the NF type of the requesting NF in the second network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the NRF serves as a home NRF of the first network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the NRF serves as an inter-PLMN NRF of an NRF set serving the first and second networks. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the request message includes receiving an NF discovery request message and wherein generating the response message includes generating an NF discovery response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the request message includes receiving a subscription request message and generating the response message includes generating a subscription created response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  comprising updating, in the S-NSSAI mapping database, the mappings between the S-NSSAI values of the first network and the S-NSSAI values of the other networks in response to changes in topology in the first network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  comprising, at the requesting NF in the second network, receiving the response message, generating a service-based interface (SBI) request message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network, and transmitting the SBI request message to the first network. 
     
     
         11 . A system for using a network function (NF) repository function (NRF) for mapping single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), the system comprising:
 an NRF including at least one processor and a memory;   an S-NSSAI mapping database stored in the memory and including mappings between S-NSSAI values of a first network and S-NSSAI values of other networks; and   an inter-PLMN request handler implemented by the at least one processor for receiving, from a requesting NF in a second network, a request message including a requester S-NSSAI attribute including an S-NSSAI value of the second network, performing a lookup in the S-NSSAI mapping database and locating a mapping between the S-NSSAI value of the second network and one of the S-NSSAI values of the first network, generating a response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network, and transmitting the response message to the requesting NF in the second network.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein at least some of the mappings in the S-NSSAI mapping database include NF type identifiers. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein, in performing the lookup in the S-NSSAI mapping database, the inter-PLMN request handler is configured to locate a mapping corresponding to an NF type of the requesting NF in the second network. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein, in generating the response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network, the inter-PLMN request handler is configured to include, in the response message, the S-NSSAI value of the first network that maps to the S-NSSAI value of the second network corresponding to the NF type of the requesting NF in the second network. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the NRF is configured to serve as a home NRF of the first network. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the NRF is configured to serve as an inter-PLMN NRF of an NRF set serving the first and second networks. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the request message comprises an NF discovery request message and the response message comprises an NF discovery response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the request message comprises a subscription request message and the response message comprises a subscription created response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the NRF is configured to automatically update the mappings between the S-NSSAI values of the first network and the S-NSSAI values of the other networks in response to changes in topology in the first network. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by a processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps comprising:
 storing, at a network function (NF) repository function (NRF) in a first network, a single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) mapping database including mappings between S-NSSAI values of the first network and S-NSSAI values of other networks;   receiving, from a requesting NF in a second network, a request message including a requester S-NSSAI attribute including an S-NSSAI value of the second network;   performing a lookup in the S-NSSAI mapping database and locating a mapping between the S-NSSAI value of the second network and the S-NSSAI of the first network;   
       generating a response message including the S-NSSAI value of the first network; and
 transmitting the response message to the requesting NF in the second network.